"Runways
to Victory" describes the way airfields in Belgium were constructed, repaired and used by the 9th U.S.
Army Air Force and the British 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1944-'45.
The first chapters are a review of the evolution of the air war during
World War II. They explain the development of tactical air power and the
challenge that the Allies were facing when finally going for the Invasion
- having adequate airfields for their thousands of tactical aircraft,
whose support was so desperately needed by the ground forces.

A
further section gives an in-depth insight of wartime operations at seven
Belgian fighter airfields, which were 'typical' fighter bases and
all have a significant and characteristic story to tell. They are:

A-78
Florennes

A-84
Chievres

A-92
St. Trond

Y-10
Le Culot/East

Y-29
Asch

B-67
Ursel

B-90
Petit Brogel

All
specific aspects of the Allied tactical fighter war in 1944-'45 at these
airfields are explained in words and lavishly illustrated with rare
photographs.

A
further chapter is an easy-reference guide to all Belgian airfields
that were used by the Allied air forces in 1944-45. All the A-, B- and
Y-prefixed airfields are concisely discussed, from origins and pre-World
War Two history, over wartime occupation (both German and Allied), to
post-war destiny. Particular attention has been given to the different
Allied flying units that used each individual airfield

Finally,
specific interesting images of most of the other Belgian airfields are
shown. Abandoned German equipment, Battle of the Bulge operations,
and destructions during the Luftwaffe's desperate Operation
Bodenplatte are all extensively shown. The majority of the photographs
come from personal albums. To end it all, several Appendices to this book
provide more in-depth material, such as, statistics, losses and victory
lists, for the real enthusiast.

This
book is a gripping account of the hazardous, gloomy, but often joyful life
of the young Allied fighter pilots, and a documentary on the impact the
proximity of an airfield had on several Belgian cities and towns. Told
largely through archive records from all over the world and remembrances
of the men who were there, this book is more than just a detailed
reference text. It is an exciting read.